EIAF & EA Welcomes International Horse Owners

Together, EIAF and Equestrian Australia are continually striving to make the international horse world ‘smaller’ every day.

In the past, the passage of horses overseas was often prohibitive in cost and time, but today through EIAF, horses are safely and efficiently transported throughout the world, arriving healthy and fit to participate in their international endeavours.

And in turn, Equestrian Australia is now allowing international horse owners eligibility to participate in equestrian events in Australia.

Under a new Bylaw introduced on January 1, 2018, Equestrian Australia may now grant an International Horse Owner License to an International owner so that they may enter their horse in EA sanctioned events.

By definition, an International Owner is recognised as someone whose primary residence is outside Australia, and an International Horse is a horse partly or wholly owned by an International owner.

This exciting initiative will open the way for more owners based overseas to participate in all equestrian disciplines throughout the Australian horse community.

By allowing a new and previously restricted group of horses competitive rights, it will help to build the pool of horses competing across the country, especially at the top level. It should also stimulate growth and development in other areas, such as sport horse breeding and elite rider participation

EIAF’s Cameron Croucher commends the introduction of this bylaw, as it will have encouraging flow-on effects throughout the local equine industry.

“This bylaw will encourage stronger national competition and increase the exposure of Australian events and riders to overseas owners and the wider international horse industry. It helps to keep Australia on the world stage.”

Meanwhile, Equestrian Australia CEO Paula Ward is thrilled that our local riders can now build a relationship with overseas owners and have the prospect of competing on top-level internationally owned horses.

“This is a positive move for our domestic riders as it will help create more opportunities for them to secure quality horses for competition.

“In turn, this may further bolster the development of our equine prospects for high-level competition including the Olympics, Paralympics and World Equestrian Games.

“Owners play a huge part in our sport, and strategically we are focused on supporting them as much as possible to encourage their continued investment and participation.”